Anime rating game

“That’s right.” Miyamori Aoi nodded slightly. “However, since the school hasn’t decided yet, we can find someone to take care of her first, and then decide on the school.”

"No, the school already made its decision this morning: Tokyo University of the Arts."

"Huh...!? Isn't Shiina-sensei a first-year high school student this year?"

"Yes, I skipped a grade."

"The president acted on his own initiative?"

"I couldn't refuse the invitation from the president of Tokyo University of the Arts. Besides, I felt it was better for her this way."

"But high school has only been in session for a little over three months now, and to skip the entire high school period all at once... Hmm... Is this really okay? And, this will make it even harder to find someone to take care of her."

"Indeed, that is the biggest problem."

At that moment, Ogasawara Rinko suddenly ran out from the crowd beside Shiina Mashiro and asked:

"President, where to now? The company or the hotel?"

"my home."

"??"

"Didn't I say that, as a result of communication with her father, Shiina Mashiro will be living in my house from now on?"

"stare……"

Why are you looking at me with such a strange expression?

"I hope the president isn't up to any bad intentions."

"What bad ideas could I possibly have? Do you think she's suited to stay in a hotel alone?"

"Hmm...too."

Although painters often have peculiar personalities, Shiina Mashiro is one of the best among them.

They are taciturn, expressionless, and seem somewhat indifferent, making them difficult to communicate with.

"You guys go back to the company first. I'll take Shiina Mashiro home. We'll rest for the day and go back to the company tomorrow morning. I'll take her to school to register the day after tomorrow, Monday."

"Alright then...see you tomorrow?"

"Well, see you tomorrow."

Upon entering the parking lot, Masamune briefly explained the situation, then looked at the three young women who had returned from abroad.

"Ando, ​​you should go back to the company with the others."

"An Yuan, you and Gong Sen come home with me. I have something to tell you."

“No problem.” Yasuhara Ema glanced at Shiina Mashiro without realizing it, wondering if she was going to talk about something related to her.

"Miyamori, how was your rest on the plane? Can you drive?"

"give it to me."

Miyamori Aoi took the car keys and sat in the driver's seat.

Masamune sat down in the passenger seat, and after Yasuhara Ema and Shiina Mashiro got into the car, he turned around and said:

"Ms. Shiina, it's a pleasure to meet you in person. Please allow me to introduce myself again. My name is Masamune Hayase, and I am the president of Musashino Animation Studios."

"Call me Mashiro," Shiina Mashiro said casually.

Yasuhara Ema subconsciously added:

"Shiina-sensei means that we should call her by her first name, Mashiro, instead of her surname, Shiina."

"Okay, you can call me Masamune then."

"Masamune."

"Well, you've probably already heard about it from Anyuan and the others, so I won't repeat it. Next, I want to talk about your studies. We've already contacted the school, and we'll send you there to register next Monday, which is the day after tomorrow morning."

Which school?

"Tokyo University of the Arts."

“I am a high school student in the UK.”

“I know, but as far as painting is concerned, you won’t learn anything useful in high school, so going there would just be a waste of time. Therefore, after negotiation, Tokyo University of the Arts is willing to admit you exceptionally. Of course, you still have to take the entrance exam.”

"I want to draw comics, that's why I came back to China."

Although her facial expression remained unchanged, Masamune could detect an unwavering conviction in her tone.

"These two things are not contradictory. Rather, they can help you create interesting comics. It's not advisable to work in isolation. Only by seeing more of the world can you tell excellent stories and create better artwork."

"What you said is the same as what the teacher said."

"The principles are the same. Technically speaking, I think there's still a lot of room for improvement in your drawing skills. Going to university should allow you to learn many useful things."

"I go."

"Great, it's settled then. The entrance exam has two parts. You have no problem with drawing, and the academic exam will be an open-book exam, so don't worry about that either."

"Well, it's settled."

Seeing her nod almost imperceptibly, like a small animal, Masamune couldn't help but smile.

It seems that she actually knows everything very well, but she is not good at expressing herself verbally. Although her expressions are not very rich, she can always grasp the key points of the conversation, so it is not that she cannot communicate.

"Yasuhara, can I call you Ema too?"

"??Can."

Unlike Shiina Mashiro, who seemed completely indifferent, Yasuhara Ema was somewhat shy but did not refuse.

"Ema, how would you rate your drawing skills?"

"There are many shortcomings. Even if it takes more than ten years, I'm afraid we still won't be able to catch up with Mashiro."

"If... never mind, I won't beat around the bush and will just get straight to the point."

Masamune cleared his throat and said seriously:

"If I arranged for you to study at Tokyo University of the Arts, I wonder if you would be willing?"

"this……!?"

Yasuhara Ema looked bewildered, her heart filled with surprise and doubt.

The president's meaning was clear: he wanted her to go and take care of Mashiro, just like her roommate Rita in England.

But is it necessary to go to that extent?

Normally, shouldn't we spend two days giving her special training in this situation to help her quickly gain independence?

Of course, this is indeed difficult, but it is not without hope.

"why?"

"Although Mashiro is partly to blame, I think you have good potential and talent, and you are qualified to reach even greater heights."

“But…” Yasuhara Ema hesitated.

"The examples of Chiya Kuwana and Mashiro are right here. People who are good at drawing definitely have an advantage when creating original artwork. Don't you want to take it a step further?"

Seeing her wavering expression, Masamune immediately pressed on:

"Since the company has assigned you to study at Tokyo University of the Arts, the company will cover your tuition, accommodation, and meals."

"During the school year, wages will be paid as usual, and seniority will be calculated as usual."

"Also, although she is a transfer student, she is a regular student at Tokyo University of the Arts, just like Mashiro, and she received the same diploma."

At that moment, Yasuhara Ema looked down at her thighs, her heart filled with unease.

It has been two years since I graduated from high school.

When I first graduated, I left my hometown in Yamagata Prefecture and came to Tokyo. For the first six months or so, I made a living by working part-time.

I'm interested in entering the animation industry, but I don't know where to start or what connections I have.

Although she joined a club in high school and dreamed of creating an excellent animation with Aoi and the others in the future, her own drawing skills were not particularly outstanding; they were only passable.

Although I have been studying on my own, I only attended a regular high school, not an arts high school, and I did not get into an art university.

Among all art-related universities, Tokyo University of the Arts is undoubtedly the highest level.

Admission is extremely difficult, with only a few dozen students admitted each year, most of whom are repeat test takers.

If I can get into an art college, my drawing skills will be even better. I can become a concept artist faster and be as skilled as Kuwana and the others.

Although she had thought this more than once, she realized that she was just an extremely ordinary person with no particular talent.

And now, the opportunity has suddenly arrived.

Although I benefited from Shinpaku's connections and might be criticized for using back channels after enrollment, this opportunity is indeed very rare.

Rather, it is more accurate to say that this was undoubtedly a turning point in his life.

If I continue to follow the established path, I might become a well-known animation director like Rinko Ogasawara many years later.

But once you get there, that's the limit you can reach.

Now, the opportunity to change one's predetermined fate is right in front of one's eyes.

If I can get into the top art university in the country, my painting skills will definitely be even better, reaching a level that can be described as "painting technique".

Even Rinko Ogasawara, the chief animation director of Musashino, tried every possible way to improve her drawing skills.

In fact, they did a lot of preparation work in advance so that the president could bring Mashiro back.

Just then, Miyamori Aoi's voice suddenly came from ahead:

"Go, Ema."

"Graduate from Tokyo University of the Arts, and then become a top-notch illustrator in the industry."

“Opportunity is fleeting.”

"You are 20 years old this year, and you will only be 24 years old after graduation. It is the perfect time for you to make your mark."

Anbara Ema's wavering heart gradually calmed down. She lowered her head slightly and said very seriously:

"Thank you, president, I'm willing to go. Since it's just for school, I don't need to pay the salary."